Monthly Archives: February 2010

Hi dear readers! I’ve got a couple easy DIY projects to share with you, a necklace and a bracelet! I don’t have step by step tutorials, so if you have any questions just ask.

Ruffle Necklace

A cute and easy way to add some interest to a boring outfit. Note to self: you are your own model, at least put on some makeup!

You need: A long piece of fabric and a necklace chain, needle and thread.

Cut a piece of fabric, sew long edges together and pull inside out create to a fabric tube (this step can be skipped if you don’t mind raw edges). Next, sew a gathering stitch along the middle and then just use a needle and thread to sew it to your necklace chain.

Baubly Bracelet

Is baubly a word? I don’t think so, but this bracelet reminds me of…baubles.

My hand looks freakishly large and manly here. Ah!!

You need: a rectangular piece of fabric and those craft pom poms you’re never quite sure what to do with. Cover your pom poms with the fabric, tying each ball in a knot with embroidery floss. Once done, you can hot glue your baubly (bubbly?) piece of fabric to some jersey or felt the size of your wrist and finish it with a button closure.

Yay! Now you have two really inexpensive, one of a kind accessories! Sweet.

I haven’t gotten my watercolors out in so long. The desire has been there, but the will hasn’t. So when a friend of mine wrote this post yesterday on getting rid of excuses and making yourself create, that was the kick in the pants I needed. So during my baby’s precious nap time I got out my supplies and gave it a go.

It was relaxing. It was peaceful. I chose to paint a dogwood flower, adding my own creative interpretation. I’ve so been looking forward to Spring, and I love dogwoods because they are sort of an impetus to seeing the world bloom again. Once they come out, life seems to radiate out from them in a trickle effect.

Anyway, I’m glad I stopped talking myself out of doing something that ended up being really fulfilling to me. What barriers do you need to overcome to follow your creative urges?

I’m so excited to share with a great way for artists to use their talents to give back to humanity through their work. As an artist, I’ve struggled with the “why” behind the creative urges I have, beyond using them for profit or for myself, I really have longed for a greater purpose. I know I’m not the only one like this. That’s why I created A Beautiful Idea.

A recent aquaintance of mine hit the nail on the head so perfectly…she says, “how can God use artists to meet real needs in practical ways? Cuz my creative gifts seem futile up against a hurting world. Help!”

My hope is that this movement can be the vehicle to do just that – make a difference in a hurting world. Here is how it works:

Etsy sellers, independent sellers and artists create a unique product to list and sell in their store, with 100% of the sale of that item going to charity. This can be ongoing, or a one-time deal. Your choice.

At the end of every month, ABI will donate the funds given to the chosen charity and give a report on our blog. Every 6 months (or once our monetary goal is hit), a new charity or cause will be selected.

It’s a three-fold beneficial cycle:

Artists have a way to create work for a greater purpose.

Consumers are given the opportunity to buy a unique product that supports a cause.

Charities are given the proceeds to help their mission.

Imagine with me for a sec, for instance if only 1% of Etsy.com’s current 200,000+ sellers (via entrepreneur.com) got on board making one $20 item a month – that’s $40,000 dollars a month! Think of the unprecedented change that ARTISTS could make in the world.

OK, you’ve heard enough and now you want to get involved, right? It’s simple.

I don’t consider myself to be a photographer, but I do love taking photos and experimenting with different angles, subjects, lighting, etc. We had such a beautiful snow last week, I just had to go out with my kid and my camera to take some shots. Here are a few of my favs!

A branch encapsulated by ice // A lone footprint

My husband’s sled, named “Laqueesha” // My sweet boy who wasn’t very fond of the cold

I love winter light, I think it’s the best. Did anyone else get snow last week? Though I do enjoy it’s beauty, hopefully that will be the last of the snow and ice for the season!

I think I’m addicted. The clothes I would yawn over before are getting a second look in my closet now. To me it’s just as thrilling to revamp something you already own than to go out and buy something new. Because, you made it. It’s yours. And it’s unique. So here is another sweater refashion I finished that I wanted to share.

Dare I admit that I actually owned this drab thing? I think I might have worn it once…underneath something else!

Well here it is now after cutting out the neckline to more of a boat neck shape and sewing a patch of nautical fabric and button to the front.

I also added some sleeve pickups complete with buttons! (Inspired by this tutorial.)

Forgive my blinding pallor in these photos. I can’t wait until summer so I don’t look so pale! Well readers, have you been inspired to cut up, add to, or embellish anything in your wardrobe? Please share!